Gone to Wordpress

After a lot of thought and fiddling, I have decided to move this blog to a Wordpress site. It seems better suited to my intuition, so... Please visit me there! :D

TheDailyGwed.wordpress.com

As it was a bit of a mess here, the new site is still being customized, but the content is available. Stay tuned (over there, not here) for better headers and nicer formatting. O/

Meet Warik

Meet Warik—my very first actual roleplaying character.

After being accepted to the delightful guild The Clandestine (on Zaviel EU), I spent a few evenings role playing various random "chars" to get a feel for it a bit, and then I created this bad boy. (Secretly, I am totally in love with him, and if I look at him while playing, I get distracted. And drool just a bit on my keyboard. ;) Ssshhh!)

I figured I would post his official bio here, so you can get to know him a little if you're interested. Or, maybe it can help you create a bio for your own roleplaying characters.

***

Name: Warik

His full Bahmi name is Chulwriktar Iiskandi, though everyone from his tribe called him Ulwrik. After distancing himself from the tribe, he slightly modified that diminutive to Warik, a name more easily pronounced by the common tongue.

One sentence that describes him: Arrogant hunter of “epic” proportions.
Current profession: Bounty hunter.

Physical Description

At first sight, one might think 'a very, very handsome devil'. He is a towering 6'5, roughly 270lbs of muscle. Despite his age (39 years old) he is still in his prime for a Bahmi. Intense facial features, and sheer size give him the natural look of a predator. His eyes are silver, though sometimes turn icy-blue, and he has thick, dark eyebrows and long, thick lashes. A smattering of coarse hair covers the expanse of his chest, intermingling with the dark purple ink of his sefirs. A variety of scars can be seen on his arms and the sides of his chest.

His neck, arms, and chest are spattered with dark, dark purple tattoos (sefirs). In fact, his right arm is a full sleeve from neck/chest to wrist. Every one is special to him; those his father and family marked him with during rights of passage, and those etched into him by the elders after achievements in the hunt or in battle.

Unless otherwise capable (r-p reasons i.e. prison, tyvm), Warik either carries or has close at hand an enormous wooden shield and a large, duel-bladed axe (that looks small in his large hands), as well as a set of matching daggers sheathed in his leather belt.

Gender and sexuality: Very male and very straight.
A trademark feature (something he/she wears, says or does a lot): His expression is usually intense, and his defined jaw often ticks with the effort of self-restraint. Also, he seems to always have a five-o'clock shadow.

Religious and Ethical Outlook

He cares nothing for religion, though he has a healthy respect for the powers of ascended, as he's felt first-hand what they are capable of. His code of ethics is dodgy at best. With women, he makes prodigious use of his looks to get them to do his bidding. He is arrogant and very confident in himself, shows no remorse for using bullying tactics and intimidation to get his way. When all else fails, he may resort to bribery, though that irks his pride.

How does he relate to the opposite sex and other species?
Warik is something of a misogynist male chauvinist. Despite his own race's outlook, with women being involved in every aspect of running the tribe (including ruling/hunting/fighting), he strongly feels that women should be women, in the kitchen or in a bed waiting for him, and nothing else. His preference runs on the plumper side, curves and muscle, not skin and bones. But he always does his best to seduce each and every one. (Firstly, it strokes his ego; and secondly, a woman melting at your feet—especially one who meddles and gossips—makes a better (and cheaper) source of information in his line of work.)

Having grown up in an extremely welcoming society, though he is always distrustful of others, he has no qualms on race. However, he will hesitate when facing another Bahmi, always considering he/she might somehow know his clan; he doesn't need word getting back to the elders and his family about his current profession or tactics.

Family/Background

Warik was born into a large and well-established tribe of Bahmi, in the Rhaza'de Canyons. He came from a respected family, and grew up learning the values of his people. Always the biggest and the strongest among the boys his age, Warik quickly assumed the role of leader within his group of peers. He is an excellent hunter, and a good fighter when it comes to it. But his understanding of hospitality and dealing with the fairer sex leave much to be desired.

When came the long-awaited day to elect him as clan chief, Warik was superseded by Enebat, a young man two years his senior. He was furious and confronted the elders. He was told that, though they had always thought he would be a great leader, the council felt he was too ambitious, too proud—and too prone to violence when things don't go his way—to lead the tribe.

To keep from doing something rash and proving them right, Warik chose to leave the tribe for a time undetermined, to think, regroup, and prove himself a capable leader. Despite the monumental humbling he got that day, he walked away with the approval of the elders and his father.
… As the sun rose above the canyons of Rhaza'de, the tribe gathered to watch him leave. A poignant veil hung in the still morning air. Disconsolate, his mother wept. But Unjar and Medek looked at each other, a nod passed between them: He may make a fine leader yet. ...

[Note to self:
Elders: Khünjargal/Medekhtulga | Father: Chuluuntul | Mother: Enechimeg | Peer: Enebat]

Since leaving his birth land, Warik has found work as a soldier and mercenary, but realized he is very bad at taking orders. In the last year or so, he finally made a name for himself: Using well-honed skills in tracking and hunting, combined with his enormous size, menacing countenance, and his natural propensity towards persuasion and intimidation, make him the ideal bounty hunter.

One happy childhood/teenage memory:

To be determined.

Character's Goal(s)

To prove himself, especially before his own kind, as a great leader.

His original goal was to one day return home, and show them all he is the best choice to lead his clan. [Although for the moment, he is failing at he what he set out to do: his natural instincts to bully rather than negotiate are still too strong in him.]

But fate intervened: His reputation as an ambitious giant with something to prove, led him to a remote canyon in the mountains of Stonefield, where a fierce Bahmi leader known as King Saigo, has made him an offer: “You will marry my daughter Xelece, and I shall crown you prince; all here shall revere you.”

The clincher however, was that Xelece had no intention of being married, and all the king's efforts thus far had proven unsuccessful. Xelece had run off, without a word, a week prior, and Warik would have to find her and bring her back if he wanted to be crowned prince.

So his current quest is to find that runaway princess, a warrior-queen in her own right, and bring her back to her father. He will make her his bride, willing or not, and eventually sit on the throne of this self-proclaimed king, ruling over the Bahmi tribes in Stonefield and Scarlet Gorge.

[Note to self:
King Saigo; Naransaikhan, self-proclaimed King of the tribes dotting the mountain ranges in Stonefield and Scarlet Gorge.]

One hobby or interest outside his job and adventuring:

Warik collects small stones, shells, and other pretty or shiny objects, leather strips and colorful yarn. He keeps these in a small, locked, wooden chest until he has the perfect mix to make a piece of jewelry for his mother. Those calloused hands and thick fingers can be very dexterous! And he has quite an eye for beauty. When a piece is complete, he wraps it with love and has a messenger deliver it to the Canyons, his menacing countenance ensuring it will arrive safely.

A List of 'Somethings' ...

Something he loves: The effect of his influence on others. And his mother; he loves his mother.
Something he hates: People who think they are better than him.
Something he fears: He fears being away from solid ground (no boat voyages, no tiny islands, etc). He has a moderate fear of snakes.
Something he would never do: Kill a woman or hurt/kill a child.

A List of 'Whens' ...

When would he steal?
He would only steal something (object/item/person/pet) if he absolutely needed it to advance his bounty-work (proof/evidence/clue) it but could not get it using any other means (persuasion/intimidation/bribery).

When would he fight/willfully injure someone?
He has no qualms about roughing someone up (yes, even a woman), or full-out fighting to get what he came for. Though willfully injuring someone is not his M.O.

When would he willfully kill someone?
When said person—and anyone tied to said person who stands in his way—has made it personal: He protects himself and his own (even though he has left his tribe behind).

If you could give your character one piece of advice, what would it be?

Make good choices, and be patient; remember your original goal! (But he's very stubborn. And I'm just a woman, after all, why would he listen to me? :P )

Here Be... Pirates?

One morning, the Tempest Bay canals were swarming with seafarers. Wondering what the occasion was, and slightly distrustful of so many of them arriving at once, Gwed took some quick snapshots in case local authorities needed some intel later on.

Later that same day, while sitting in the steps, in the shade cast by a flowering cherry tree, Gwed looked over the photos from a different perspective: that of fashionista. She instantly recognized how posh the outfits were, lending an air of diplomatic authority to the wearers. She also noticed how these seafaring types all seemed to have a flair for hats.

Artheron@Brutwacht (1)

Randolf@Brutwacht (2)

Arwhen@Brisesol (3)

With the interest of keeping this post easy to read, I will list the items shown in the pictures above from top to bottom.

Item	Name	Source
Head	1+2) Tricorne of the Drowned Thief, 3) Trailblazer's Hat	1+2) Rift Store, 3) Ascend a Friend
Cape	1) Resplendent Cape	X
Shoulder	1) Embroidered Cloth Mantle, 2) Dusty Leather Mantle	X
Chest	1) Powdered Gothic Tunic, 2) Vicious Leather Tunic, 3) Black and White Swimsuit Top	1) Fishing Drop, 2) Drop, 3) Summerfest
Gloves	1) Powdered Gothic Gloves	1) Fishing Drop
Legs	1) Rake's Leggings	X
Feet	1) Powdered Gothic Boots, 2) Vicious Leather Boots, 3) Imperial Cloth Boots	1) Fishing Drop

Xazoula@Zaviel

Quick mention here: Xazoula, loving the color combo. And the hairstyle. <3

Working On It

Good morning ladies and gents,

This is just a little heads' up to say that I am working on my layout. It isn't making sense to me, so rest assured it will be much prettier and more intuitive, and things won't overlap as they do currently.

I will continue to post entries just the same, as that's more fun, but I promise it'll work better soon! Thank you for your patience!

The Management

(a.k.a. Elisa ;) )

Image source

Exploring the Mountain

At the crack of dawn, a cock crowed from below in the market place, announcing the start of a new day. Warik turned miserably on the tiny bed, the abused mattress sagging under his weight. He had already secretly repaired the legs of the bed, having splintered them his first night in the bunkhouse. "Aaah. Moonshade Outpost. Catering to witches, dwarves, and other assorted hot-heads," he thought to himself, dragging a calloused palm over his tired eyes. "This has got to stop."

Less than an hour later, with a relatively full belly, he left the bunkhouse feeling irritable. The small beds and low beams of the dormitory, the constant comings and goings, the lack of privacy—it was enough to drive a man mad for lack of sleep. Not to mention the ever-watchful presence of the outpost's stalwart captain, Arboneth Koning, with her perverse sense of justice. Was she ever a thorn in his side!

At the stables, he saddled Chota, his loyal yarnosaur, and rode north into the hills, keeping a steady gait through the thickening woodlands. After just over an hour's ride, they came to a fork in the path, split by an enormous boulder. Warik chose to go east at this point, following the morning sun. Up they climbed for another twenty minutes or so, the sound of trickling water becoming louder as they rode, until, just over a rise, the mountainside flattened out and the mist sparkled over a small lake in the midday light.

Warik took a deep breath, his lungs filling with crisp mountain air. He dismounted, clapped the furry beast's rump, and chuckled, "Chota my friend, welcome home." (Being of a very relaxed temperament, Chota didn't even flinch, instead lowering his head to munch at the grassy patches.) The water was crystal clear, filtered by the rocks it came from. Fish darted here and there, occasionally springing up to catch a dragonfly hovering too close to the surface. He spent another hour exploring every tree and every rock, pleased to discover claw marks—proof of large game. "And where there is large game," he told no one in particular, "there is most assuredly small game."

"Yes," he thought, satisfied with his day's findings. "This will be the perfect spot. Out of Koning's jurisdiction; fish, game, and fresh water aplenty; and a clear view of anyone approaching." Warik nodded to himself, his blood humming with excitement. He would clear the land and build himself a small cabin right there on that incline, where he would have easy access to the outpost, yet have his own space away from prying eyes.

Early afternoon shadows began to reach their dark fingers between the dense foliage overhead—dusk came early to the mountains. He whistled for Chota, as his stomach rumbled. With a bit of luck, rooster would be on the menu tonight.

Principale@Brutwacht

Yes, I know, another fashion post. But this one is going to knock your socks off!

Gwed mailed me about this outfit, stashing her sketches and photos into an envelope so hastily that she even crumpled the edges. She absolutely wanted me to mention this one right now.

First of all, here are the notes Gwed sent along with the snaps:

"Dear Eli,

       This morning I crossed paths with Legendary Principale of the 750 Club. Not only was his name awe-inspiring, but just look at that leather and chain get-up he was wearing. Tall, and broad-shouldered, his demeanor brooked no nonsense. I snapped these photos secretly, without a word, because I felt almost naked in my little touring dress—not at all like the dark assassin I am hired to be—and did not know what to expect of one such as he.

       I send them to you in the strictest confidence, that you keep them to yourself lest he come looking for me to exact retribution...

       In the meantime, please find a way to recreate that look for me, as I would love to look like one of the Brotherhood.

Yours sincerely, Gwedhiel—"

Here's what he was wearing:

Item	Name	Source
Head	Dark Reaper's Helm	Rift Store
Chest	Heretic's Habergeon	X
Gloves	Deceiver's Chain Gloves	X
Legs	Squire's Pants	X
Feet	Ruin Forged Sabatons	X
Weapons	Architect Queen's Staff	X

She was so excited about it that she wanted me (a.k.a. her "tailor") to make her assassin outfit look like that. "We'll see," I replied. I keep having to remind her to grind her dailies so she can earn back the 840plat she spent on the last tier of Warik's little cabin dimension. Priorities!

But I did get to work on it, except I was missing all those appearances, so this is what I came up with... (The colors are Exceptionally Black and Deep Ruby.)

Item	Name	Source
Head	Patchwork Cloth Helm	Rift Store/Drop
Shoulder	Muffler of Akala	X
Chest	Frost Keeper's Hauberk	X
Gloves	Swashbuckler's Gloves	X
Feet	Swashbuckler's Boots	X
Weapons	Dartslinger	X

As always, if you know where these items come from, please leave a comment! :)